Unknown Intrusion

Chapter 42 Knowledge (Bonus chapter for Alliance Leader AD 1)

Su Yu quickly dressed, then shook his head self-deprecatingly.

"Student leader, I'm truly sorry for taking what was rightfully yours."

"..." The girl pursed her lips tightly, her delicate brows furrowed, suspecting that he was mocking her.

"Actually, I should have apologized to you a long time ago, but I just haven't figured out how to say it." Su Yu looked into the girl's eyes. If it weren't for him, Cheng Qiaoqiao would be the top student... That's impossible, it's a fact of the past.

Cheng Qiaoqiao gazed at him quietly, her beautiful face gradually revealing confusion and anger.

"Exam results are based on individual scores, why are you apologizing?"

She was initially a little irritated, but when she met his dark eyes, her voice inexplicably softened.

"Besides... I'm not blaming you..."

These past few days have felt different.

Compared to other features, the most captivating change was Su Yu's eyes.

Sharp yet serene eyes, and delicate eyebrows...it seemed she was always watching something she couldn't see.

Especially when he looked at her, he always felt a kind of heartache.

Sometimes, when I meet that kind of gaze, a feeling of weariness and deep melancholy inexplicably wells up inside me.

It felt like I wasn't myself anymore.

This feeling always comes unexpectedly, yet it feels as if it has actually happened.

It's frustrating, and I can't figure out why.

"Alright, let's hurry up and go. There are some good things to choose from today."

For the girl, today she was determined to drag her childhood sweetheart, this silly boy, from here to school, no matter what.

"nice one?"

"You finally got a ranking, hurry up and go, the teacher is waiting!" No matter how Su Yu asked, Cheng Qiaoqiao resolutely refused to reveal anything.

"The surprise is that you only find out at the last minute!"

The buildings, scattered throughout the forest, all had colorful stained glass windows facing Su Yu.

Pedestrians came and went sparsely in the corridors, creating a very quiet environment. Unidentified birds hid in the woods, occasionally chirping.

The air was fresh, quite different from outside, and the temperature was also more moderate. With his senses becoming more acute than before, Su Yu gradually became aware of many differences.

"It seems like there are very few dead trees on campus?" Su Yu asked casually.

The girl, dressed in a white dress, walked beside Su Yu, the two of them side by side.

"It might be because it's a secret barrier," Cheng Qiaoqiao said after thinking for a moment. Since Su Yu became the top student, she had become much more casual and spoke her mind.

"Enchantment?"

"It's a place built using secret power, similar to a castle."

"castle?"

"Oh dear, I only heard about it. Don't keep asking, I don't remember." Cheng Qiaoqiao lowered her head, a blush rising on her face.

"Was it because you weren't paying attention in class?" Su Yu, still feeling sleepy, wondered.

"Of course I listened carefully!" The girl shook her head seriously, then became dejected: "But how can I remember so much?"

In the midday summer sun, Su Yu and Cheng Qiaoqiao were chatting until they stepped into the hallway and saw Mr. Cheng.

Mr. Cheng is not actually old, around forty years old, with some wrinkles that make him look more mature and charming. He is leaning against the wall, while a lady is sitting in a chair.

This lady, the one who came to the classroom to investigate earlier, is now wearing black trousers that are as tight as a skirt and have no decorations, as well as a brand new, crisp white shirt.

Her long hair was tied up in a ponytail at the back of her head, just enough to expose her neck.

Her outfit gives her a capable and efficient look.

To be honest, I've never found out this woman's name.

"You're really late." The woman cast a sharp glance at him.

"I'm sorry, I was too excited. I couldn't sleep last night and couldn't get up today." Su Yu apologized, bowing his head.

“That’s how it is for all newcomers, you’re not the only one.” This explanation was good, and both adults smiled and looked at them kindly.

“Over the years, we’ve become quite experienced.” “So don’t worry, there’s not much to do today.”

She dropped those words decisively and got up from the chair.

"follow me."

We entered a room that resembled a kitchen.

Everywhere there are rows of pools, with faucets and tiled surfaces.

In the center was a smooth, round wooden table, on which experimental equipment should have been placed, but instead, a thick stack of books was displayed.

It's a chemistry lab; it seems someone has been here before.

Where are your badges?

In the presence of the lady and Mr. Cheng, Su Yu and Cheng Qiaoqiao each took out the badges they had received.

The woman did not reach out to take it, but instead took out a soft sponge and placed the badge on it.

"Keep your badge safe; it's a certificate of your learning and it's very important to you."

"But this is not truly granted to you."

"When we graduate, we have to return it to the school so that it can be left for the next class. This is a tradition."

"Then what's really going to be given to us?" Cheng Qiaoqiao asked.

"Knowledge, and opportunity," the woman said gently.

“You are all talented people, but that alone is not enough.”

"The school of thought gives you knowledge and opportunities for advancement. In the future, you will also be needed to repay the school and protect it."

"For thousands of years, we have been striving to create a bright future."

Cheng Qiaoqiao didn't say anything more. After all, she was still young and didn't quite understand what he meant.

Su Yu pondered repeatedly in his heart: the school of thought, the future... isn't this the ideal of St. Francis?
In the sacred grove, the disciples received revelation and firmly believed that knowledge brings progress. Later, they established many schools.

Including Qing Teng Middle School.

But do schools of thought need protection?
Such words are quite intriguing.

"All right."

"Here you go, and also, one set of standard textbooks for each of you."

At first glance, they all had thick covers; I opened them slightly to take a look.

*Collected Essays of Sages*, *A Thousand-Year History of Schools of Thought*, *37 Fundamental Principles of Meditation*, *Basic Language of Spells*, *Basic Herbal Identification*, *When Evil Spirits Knock on the Door*, *Teaching You to Identify Dark Forces*, *Wild Dark Life*, *A Thousand Questions for Apprentices' Employment Guide*, *General Knowledge of Magic*, *Advanced Numbers and Models*

"Are all these for us?" Su Yu was a little envious. He had only heard of one or two of these books, and didn't even know the names of the others.

What was once something unattainable is now piled up in front of him, more than a dozen books, waiting for him to claim them. It's simply mesmerizing.

"The data is all claimed by individuals, and everyone has registered their identity!"

"Note that unless specifically permitted, this must not be circulated to others!" the lady solemnly warned. "You may use it yourselves, and you may borrow it from each other, but you may not copy or reproduce it."

"If it is lost or stolen, or if you discover that someone is recording it illegally, you must report it to the school immediately, and the school will send someone to retrieve it!"

Su Yu felt a chill run down his spine. Even in his previous life, with its advanced technology, this level of importance had never been placed on it!
Is the world placing too much emphasis on knowledge?

"No, no, it's that knowledge is too valuable!"

"Those with talent, once they get the teaching materials, may become spellcasters!"

"With such a high value, it's naturally not something we can sell easily!"

Su Yu couldn't help but think of his past life.

In her previous life, her mother worked as a waitress in a small restaurant that was quite famous locally, known for its braised chicken drumsticks.

The secret to this dish lies solely in the sauce and the cooking time, so whenever it's time to prepare it, the owner always dismisses everyone else and cooks it himself, without relying on outsiders.

Su Yu had also tried it, and it was indeed unique in taste, with a long aftertaste, slightly better than other places.

The owner of that small restaurant only had a few recipes, and he wouldn't give them away for free.

The knowledge of a school of thought can enable a person to become a professional, and that is worth more than a thousand times over.
Is it reasonable or even possible to give it away for free?
　Please try to read the new books on the bestseller list every day, don't let them sit unread. Also, please use all your recommendation votes and monthly tickets to boost their popularity. Thank you!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)